Fish Species

Our location across the Yentna River from the confluence of our “home waters” of Lake Creek, allows us to have you on some of Alaska’s best fishing water within minutes of leaving our dock. It is famous in the region for the superior salmon runs. Salmon use Lake Creek as a spawning site and return in vast quantities. During the spawning process Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling gorge themselves on eggs and salmon flesh from the dead and decaying fish.Lake Creek is a swift flowing, clear, gravel-bottomed river originating out of the Alaska Range to our north and is home to all five species of Pacific salmon (King, Sockeye, Pink, Silver and Chum), Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling. Please see our fishing calendar for information on Riversong Alaskan salmon fish species.

King Salmon

King Salmon are available through Riversong's fishing excursions. King salmon (Chinook Salmon) spawn in fresh water. Salmon smolt then travel to the ocean for maturity. They will spend anywhere from three to seven years in the Pacific before returning to their birthplace to spawn. King Salmon rely solely on fat reserves upon arrival to fresh waters, which makes them highly prized for their unusually abundant levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. King Salmon on average can weigh 15 to 55 lbs.

Sockeye Salmon

The Sockeye Salmon, also referred to as Reds are bright silver with a tint of blue on their backs while residing in the ocean. Upon returning to their spawning grounds, their bodies turn red and heads turn green. Juvenile sockeye, known as fry, reside in freshwater for one year before returning to the ocean. They then spend anywhere from one to three years in the ocean before returning to their original place of spawning. Sockeye Salmon weigh 5 to 15 lbs on average.

Silver Salmon

The Silver Salmon, or coho salmon, have silver sides and a deep blue back while residing in the ocean. When returning to their spawning site, their backs develop spots and bellies turn dark, their sides turn bright-red, head & back turn bluish-green. Adults that have reached maturity will develop a marked red color, with females being slightly darker than males and both will have hooked nose. Silver Salmon weigh 6 to 12 lbs on average.

Chum Salmon

The Chum Salmon, known as dog salmon, readily take flies as well as spinners making them ideal for all types of fishermen. In the ocean, Chum have a silvery blue-green color, light colored belly, and indefinite spotting of a darker shade. In fresh water, their belly color darkens and their body turns to dark olive green. When spawning, purple streaks develop on their belly and get progressively darker towards their tail. Chum Salmon weigh 9.7 to 22 lbs on average.

Pink Salmon

Pink Salmon, also known as Humpies, are a silver color when they live in the ocean. Upon returning to fresh water, the belly of the fish turns a yellow-grey color and their back turns light grey. They are characterized by black gums and and large irregular spots on the back and tail. During the spawning period the male fish develops a large hump back. Pink salmon have an average weight of 4.8 lbs.

Arctic Grayling

Arctic Grayling are freshwater fish. They live in large cold water lakes and rivers. They are characterized by the large colorful dorsal fin, which is used to attract a mate and beautiful coloring. The average weight of the Arctic Grayling is between 2 to 5 lbs. The average lifespan of a graying is 32 years, allowing them to spawn several times during their life.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are distinguished by a pronounced reddish stripe along the lateral line, from the mouth to the tail and is more pronounced in breeding males. Rainbow trout spawn in fresh water and will travel up and down river following the spawning Salmon. Rainbow Trout average between 1 to 5lbs.

Northern Pike

Northern Pike can grow to a large size and are a carnivorous fish. They average between 28 and 47 inches (70 - 120 cm) in length. The majority of pike are an olive green color and fade into yellow and then eventually to white on the belly. They have bar shaped spots along their sides and often on their fins as well. Their fins can also be red in color.